During the summer months, I watered my lawn everyday. And during the fall months, I only watered my lawn twice a week, about 1/3 less water usage than summer months.
Yet when my sprinkler system water bill came, the utility company said my fall water usage is twice as much as my summer water usage! (My household water has another seperate bill)
I had a professional checked the meter out, there was no water leak. So I call the water company to ask them to change my broken water meter.
After they told me all kind of lies, they absolutely refuse to even test my water meter or repair it.
Does anybody know any county offices that can override the decision of my water company? (which is owned by the county.)
Any legal procedures or plumber who can help me to force the utility company to repair my water meter? Thanks.
2007-02-10 06:19:52 · 6 answers · asked by Ace H 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
P.S. I've read the meter myself and test the speed of the meter. Yes, the utility company's reading is correct. And the meter is really running several times faster during the fall than during the summer. Thanks.
2007-02-13 00:41:48 · update #1
A couple of things here, it most likely is not the water meter. Unlike my utility company which switched to electronic readings (more accurate) most company's read every other month with an estimate in between. By what you are describing, it sounds like either a broken water main on your property or by the street. The other option is like a previous person mentioned is someone is using your water when your not home. I would call them and tell them you believe there is a broken water line and see what they find out. If it is a broken line pray that it is under the street, if it is on your property it will be very expensive to fix.
2007-02-14 09:26:30 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the companies don't actually read the meters, they just estimate the usage. Then when they do read the meters, you either pay the difference or you get a price break to correct it, depending on which way the estimate was off. It sounds like you are paying for their laziness.
2007-02-15 20:42:02 · answer #2 · answered by Rob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your bills for the past 6 mos or so, and see how many are actual readingsand how many are estimated readings... im not certain, but i think that most utilities only HAVE to read ur meter like once every 3 months, so, they could estimate it low, and it turns out that its much higher...
there are other avenues to file complaints, im just not sure what they are... possibly if you contact your local BBB, they would be able to tell u a good avenue to take this...
good luck!
2007-02-10 14:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by asailorsstar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a decent attorney would be the answer. The utilities hold a monoply over you which I think is illegal. At least they need to be anserable to your needs.
2007-02-10 14:26:45 · answer #4 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No good news here.
Most people in your situation end up paying.
The water co. is a tough mofo.
2007-02-11 08:07:53 · answer #5 · answered by Caveman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could someone be using the water without your knowledge??set up a camera...
2007-02-14 16:19:19 · answer #6 · answered by donnacat24 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋